GraviDock V2 - laptop, tablet and phone stand

UPDATE 24/01/2025

Added a third design variant. There was a request for a simplified version that does not offer the phone stand functionality. It makes sense for people that only want to use it as a laptop / tablet stand. I have uploaded a third print profile that includes all three dimensions (120mm, 140mm and 160mm) as well as all the required TPU parts. Just open it in Bambu Studio and print the size you want: Print profile 3: Soft touch without phone stand

The GraviDock V2

Following the success of the original GraviDock (link) I have decided to design this new generation. My main goal was to address some of the issues of the first generation and bring even more functionality to the design. 

Main issues of GraviDock V1

• Unreliable spring back effect of the TPU insert. After some use plastic deformation occurs on the TPU insert which results in reduced spring back effect. This was a particularity of the 95A TPU material and there was no way around it.
• Some users expressed concerns about possible scratches on both the desk or the laptop tablet itself that may occur in use due to direct contact with the hard plastic of the dock.

New functionalities

• docking place for smartphones.

…now about the GraviDock V2

The GraviDock V2 is a docking station / stand allowing vertical parking of laptops, tablets and smartphones.

It is 95% 3D printable. This is a major change versus the previous version. Now there is one component that you can't print but instead need to source it from your household. In order for the Dock to function properly you need a couple of rubber bands.

Rubber bands - you can use any type of rubber bands. Just make sure you tune the amount of pretension so that the GraviDock returns to the initial shape once you remove the laptop or tabled. I am using 45 mm in diameter rubber bands and need to use between 2 and 4 pieces depending on the size of the GraviDock I have. If you have longer rubber bands you can, of course, twist them in two loops or more before installing them.

Printing, material and assembly

I have uploaded two print profiles and all the involved geometry files as *.step file format. Bot print profiles include three different dock sizes for your convenience, 160 mm wide, 140 mm wide and 120 mm wide. I recommend you use these predefined dimensions instead of scaling the parts in the slicer software to avoid bad quality prints of even failed prints.

• Print profile 1: Soft touch
  • This profile includes the GraviDock V2 version with all bells and whistles. Meaning it the main body with grooves to insert the printed TPU inserts as well as a slim central TPU part that protect the laptop / tablet form any potential scratches.
  • There are three print plated for each size dock. One print plate for the main body component, another one for the central TPU pillow and a third one for the TPU inserts. All print plates are labeled so I recommend you read the titles.
• Print profile 2: no soft touch
  • This profile includes the GraviDock V2 version without soft touch inserts. If you do not need the added complexity of the full version with soft touch elements you can use this profile. The main dock geometry no longer has the grooves for the soft touch inserts. However, it still includes the central TPU pillow. It is up to you if you want to print and use it it or not. 
  • There are two print plates for all three dock sizes. One print plate includes the main dock body part while the second one includes the TPU pillow part.
• Printing advice
  • The print profiles have been tuned in order to achieve good print quality on all types of BambuLab printers. I have modified some material settings and some slicer settings. I recommend you use these settings.
• Material
  • This product was design to be printed with PLA for the main part and TPU 95A for the soft touch inserts and central pillow. 
  • I have tested the design and slicer settings with both BambuLab PLA Basic as well as Matte, Marble and Silk. Should print flawlessly. Also, printed the TPU parts with BL TPU 95 without any issues. Using other brands of filament should go well unless you are using some very low quality ones or very wet ones.
• Assembly
  • First you need to remove the print supports and brim. This should be very easy to do. Then you should dislodge the hinge mechanism. After this you need to insert the soft touch inserts either by sliding them in or by pressing. Next you have to insert the central TPU part. The last step is to hook in the rubber bands.

Time and cost optimizations

• Both the design and the slicer settings are meant to give perfect print results and reliability of the products. If you want to reduce the print time for the main dock body part I recommend you reduce the number of walls from 3 to 2. This would lead to 20-30% less filament usage and a similar reduction of print time. The strength of the parts will be reduced but as long as you do not use it to hold a heavy laptop (>2.5 kg) should be just file.